Archives For Ministry

We returned home Friday afternoon from a great (and exhausting) week at district Kids Camp.

I had a blast filming and editing videos all week for a nightly ‘highlight reel’ video shown in the rally. I’ve been told that 13-children made first-time commitments to follow Jesus at camp this year! I believe in the impact and importance of the camp experience. As camp-weeks become more and more expensive to attend and pull off, I fear the inevitable, but I’m grateful to serve on a district that believes in the importance of financially investing in the lives of children by availing a camp-experience each Summer!

Here are the camp highlight videos from our week together –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o25hMUx08G0

I had the privilege of performing a wedding ceremony this past weekend in Indiana. As we were driving back to Pennsylvania I was trying to stay alert (and entertained) by seeking through radio-stations somewhere in mid-Ohio and stopped on a track I’d never heard before.

These lyrics caused me to pause on one particular track:

I’m so sick of that same old love . . .
my body’s had enough
I’m so sick of that same old love . . .
feels like I’ve blown apart
I’m so sick of that same old love . . .
the kind that breaks your heart . .

I liked the track – it’s quite catchy – FAIR WARNING THOUGH: the non radio-edit version of the song isn’t completely family-friendly (and neither is the album artwork!)

sameoldloveTurns out the track is sung by Selena Gomez, the (currently) 23-year old pop-star who came to fame thanks in part to her acting on a popular Disney Channel television show.

Today I took time to listen and read through the lyrics of this track I only partially heard on the radio. And I find myself connecting the dots of this song with some of what I said as a part of the wedding ceremony just days ago.

As I stood before the couple on Saturday evening and delivered my short wedding homily before they repeated their vows and said, “I do.”, I read to them from God’s Holy Word –

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – 

“Love is patient and kind, love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

As I acknowledged God’s definition of love, I admitted that unfortunately a false-love exists in our world – due to our sinful nature. And as we compared and contrasted these two loves, I encouraged this bride and groom to steer-clear of this broken, selfish, impatient, jealous kind of love and to instead run head-first towards God’s perfect love.

I found it comical that hours after presenting this truth to a bride and groom and a room full of witnesses, I hear a song on the radio that proves its necessity. The world cries out for real love.

My prayer is that Selena Gomez, the song’s writers (according to Wikipedia: Tor Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen, Benjamin Levin, Charlotte Aitchison, Ross Golan), or the millions of fan-girls (and boys!) who will no-doubt playback and repeat this anthem during some of life’s crucial moments needn’t look very far to find someone willing to point them in the direction of the REAL love God offers, exemplifies and challenges His children to live out everyday!

May the true followers of Jesus point to and live out His love in a way that draws others towards relationship with him!


 

Same Old Love (Radio Disney Version) – Selena Gomez

Lyrics:

Take away your things and go
You can’t take back what you said, I know
I’ve heard it all before, at least a million times
I’m not one to forget, you know

I don’t believe, I don’t believe it
You left in peace, left me in pieces
Too hard to breathe, I’m on my knees
Right now, ‘ow

I’m so sick of that same old love, that shit, it tears me up
I’m so sick of that same old love, my body’s had enough
Oh, (that same old love)
Oh, (that same old love)
I’m so sick of that same old love, feels like I’ve blown apart
I’m so sick of that same old love, the kind that breaks your heart
Oh, (that same old love)
Oh, (that same old love)

I’m not spending any time, wasting tonight on you
I know, I’ve heard it all
So don’t you try and change your mind
‘Cause I won’t be changing too, you know

You can’t believe, still can’t believe it
You left in peace, left me in pieces
Too hard to breathe, I’m on my knees
Right now, ‘ow

I’m so sick of that same old love, that shit, it tears me up
I’m so sick of that same old love, my body’s had enough
Oh, (that same old love)
Oh, (that same old love)
I’m so sick of that same old love, feels like I’ve blown apart
I’m so sick of that same old love, the kind that breaks your heart
Oh, (that same old love)
Oh, (that same old love)

I’m so sick of that, so sick of that love
I’m so sick of that, so sick of that love
I’m so sick of that, so sick of that love
I’m so sick of that, so sick of that love

I’m so sick of that same old love, that shit, it tears me up
I’m so sick of that same old love, my body’s had enough
Oh, (that same old love)
Oh, (that same old love)
I’m so sick of that same old love, feels like I’ve blown apart
I’m so sick of that same old love, the kind that breaks your heart
Oh, (that same old love)
Oh, (that same old love)

My buddy Mike Foster blogged this powerful reminder today on the same day I watched the following video from NewSpring.

Both are well-worth your time.

Video –

Mike’s blog post.

profileIn late 2012, I had the privilege of traveling to Swaziland with a team of pastors and laity to serve on a mission team for two weeks. While we were there, our team served the Emmanuel Wesleyan Bible College with both physical labor (painting and maintenance) and by teaching local pastors at a pastor’s conference.

The trip was both challenging and rewarding.

I have the opportunity to join another team this year – in October/November 2014 for a return-trip to Swaziland to serve in a similar capacity by loving and teaching local pastors to serve the Lord and His Church in the country of Swaziland.

As I prepare spiritually and mentally for this opportunity I am once again startled at the seeming ‘impossibility’ of raising the necessary funds to get there. I am confident, however, that the Lord will provide the necessary funds to make this trip a possibility. And this is where you might be able to play an active-role in seeing the Lord provide –

I am a full-time pastor in Shippensburg, PA, a husband, and proud daddy. I do not have the ability to “put in a few extra hours” at my job for an increase in take-home pay. What I’m hoping to find are plenty of friends and family (and even strangers!) who may be willing to help me get BACK TO SWAZILAND to serve the Lord and His Church.

I’m not able to offer much in return for your generous financial help except the few ‘reward levels’ outlined on the fundraising page which may help you help me reach my goal in the time I have before our trip. You may or not be aware that I have a few “freelancing abilities” that may or may not be of use to you personally – but if my skills in woodturning or graphics design would be a benefit to you in return for you supporting financing my trip, please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss something. You can contact me via this page or via email directly: stevan[at]stevansheets.com.

I am seeking to raise $3700 for this trip and here is how that breaks down:
Mission Trip Team Registration: $3000
Site fees (processing): approximately $300
Other (travel to airports, reward supplies, etc.): $400

Thank you for considering helping me get BACK TO SWAZILAND!